Changes make Good Crash Test Rankings Harder to Achieve

On Monday, Federal regulators proposed changes to government crash tests that would make receiving a “good” rating more difficult. NHTSA hopes that the more stringent ratings system will help encourage auto makers to manufacture safer vehicles. Currently, about 95 percent of new vehicles score a four or five star rating in crash tests. This is due, in part, to safety systems such as side impact air bags, more sophisticated frontal air bags and Electronic Stability Control, which is standard equipment on about two-thirds of 2007 model year vehicles. NHTSA also plans to simplify the safety ratings that it posts on its website and elsewhere. While none of these changes will take affect immediately, NHTSA hopes that the changes can begin within a few months.